b:blunt: 3 haircuts that scream Bandra

Mumbai celebrity salon b:blunt has a brand new suburban branch, run by a pair of scissor sisters

By Sita Wadhwani, Prarthna Singh 13 May, 2011

“They’re as mad as hatters, that’s why I love them and that’s why they’re perfect for Bandra,” says b:blunt’s founder Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar, talking about her new Bandra salon director, Shimsha Shetty and her sister, senior hairstylist Shefali Shetty. Pictured here in the kind of auto-rickshaw that's synonymous with Mumbai's suburbs.

“Sumeit Malkotia’s hairstyle is quite structured but funky at the same time. It’s neat and clean but goes a bit mad. It’s extremely textured,” says his hairstylist.
“Versatility is important for men’s hairstyles,” Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar adds. “The popular trend for Mumbai men has moved away from very disheveled to more Mad Men 1950s with a twist.”

“Long hair is part of the culture and needs to be respected,” says Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar.
Shimsha Shetty, who cut and colored client Shaleena Nathani’s hair, says typical Mumbai girls want their tresses to look long, curly and natural. “It’s interesting, here girls will wear torn jeans but won’t experiment with hair length. But we can still get creative by keeping layers long and, in terms of color, working with what’s happening naturally, and what will lift the skin tone. Here I've used a two-tone effect: a rich chocolate brown with a slightly copper brown coming through.

“Shamma Kitur has been a client for many years,” says Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar.
“We’re working with her sexy salt and pepper natural coloring and cutting something classic with a twist. This is a classic bob but with disconnecting layers, which makes it more experimental.”

B:blunt’s newest salon, opened in April on a typically leafy lane in Khar, encapsulates the easy, quirky spirit of Bandra complete with a sawed-in-half auto-rickshaw -- the back half inside the salon, the driver’s end outside, divided by the salon’s glass shop front.

Inside, the work spaces are clearly defined: there’s cutting, coloring and a separate hair treatment room by Kerastase.

Manicures and pedicures come recommended and, here’s an insider tip: Shimsha is a highly-qualified make-up artist so if you have a big event and don’t want to look like a bad day in Bollywood you know which ghostbuster to call.

1 of 1

b:blunt, the Shetty sisters’ new work address, is easily one of most recognized and respected homegrown hairdressing salons in India.

b:blunt founder Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar

Founded by Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar and brother Osh Bhabani in 2005, b:blunt has an enviable list of Bollywood clientele (Adhuna is married to director/actor Farhan Akhtar). Shefali Shetty's glitzy client roster includes actors Kunal Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Genelia D’Souza.

When these three women are not in their salon, the next likely place you’ll find them is on a movie set.

It could be "Dil Chahta Hai," “Rang De Basanti,” “Rock On,” "Dhoom 2" or “Don” but between them (and colleague Avan Contractor) they’ve launched more than a few significant Bollywood style trends.

Be that as it may, Bhabani-Akhtar says her main focus has always been “everyday people. You know? Like the Arrested Development song.”

b:blunt services Mumbai's towny clientele via the original salon at Kemps Corner, while the needs of northern suburbia -- and the movie industry -- are met at the second outpost, opened in Juhu in 2007.

But Bandra-Khar is like its own ecosystem: camp casual, home of the laid-back.

This is, in fact, where Bhabani-Akhtar has lived for the last 12 years. And when asked what defines the larger neighborhood she says, “I like the folks in Bandra, they have an easy vibe in terms of attitude. Everyone's walking around in shorts.”

Here, the b:blunt Bandra team invites three clients to their new salon, to model three hairstyles they believe reflect Mumbai’s most cosmopolitan neighborhood.

b:blunt, Shanti Niwas, G/F, 14th Road, Khar (W); +91 (0)22 6534 3571; www.bblunt.com

Sita Wadhwani is CNNGo City Editor in Mumbai.

b:blunt: 3 haircuts that scream Bandra

you may also like

MOST POPULAR

WEIRD WORLD